SCA award often handmade.
August 8, 2023 Strathmore Bristol paper 19×25”, Holbein Gouache, Windsor Newton Gold Gouache and Calligraphy Ink Illumination by myselfCalligraphy and Words by Eamon Grey I had taken a few months off from scribal so that I could move, I know, again… Once I had settled in to my new place I let the Signet (the…
Making A Hebrew-English Scroll and what it took for me to create the Hebrew calligraphy.
You find emojis, computer icons, road signs, logos, and emblems everywhere. They’re a useful eye-catching shorthand for small spaces. And were used in history the same way. Using these time-tested patterns on a scroll inspires the recipient or any viewer really. Symbols like eyes, hearts, hands, arrows, circles still evoke grand meaning. They add depth…
Deadline Made – Court Presentation So you finished a scroll, and you’re pleased. You’re also glad. Glad you didn’t have to start completely over. Glad you made it with time to spare before the presentation deadline. But is that all to finishing a gorgeous scroll? What about finishing touches? Getting the finishing touches right can elevate…
Previously I wrote about drawing calligraphy guidelines with a ruler and pencil. It’s one of the two simplest ways you can rule up a scroll page. The other easy way is the one I’ll tell you today. Use Incompetech.com’s free plain graph paper generator and print off the size grid you want. When using the graph generator you have many…
M. Rolf Hobart’s blank border entries at the Barony of Mag Mor’s 2017 Cattle Raids. At last falls Cattle Raids event in the Barony of Mag Mor, I was asked by a passing RUSH student, “What are those?” as he pointed to the blank scrolls’ displayed. I admit they might look a bit lost to the…
Mini Scrolls Prior To Illumination Have you ever had calligraphy practice come out of nowhere and fall into your lap? That’s what happened to me recently. With the new Baron and Baroness, Augustin and Aleit, came renewed inspiration for calligraphy and illumination. Their wish was to have a small 5″ x 7″ hand done scroll…
Enlarged upper right miniature Project Title: Duchy Scroll for Issabell St. Charles Project Date: January 13, 2018/Coronation Text by: D. Magdalena vander Meere Inspiration for Text: Translation by: Calligrapher: Jehanne Bening Illuminator: Jehanne Bening Measurements: Support: Pergamenata, C and I area 12″ x 16″ Notable Techniques: Flat gilding using Tresser’s gilding size adhesive. Love it. Script: Early Gothic…
Project Title: Giraude Benet’s Laurel Scroll Project Date: December 9, 2017 Text by: Malachi von Uri Inspiration for Text: Translation by: Calligrapher: Jehanne Bening Illuminator: Jehanne Bening Measurements: 16 x 20 inches Support: Pergamenata heavyweight natural Notable Techniques: Gilding and interlinear lining. Script: Early/Proto- Gothic Pens: Mitchell 1 mm dip nib and Hunt 512 pointed dip…
My large grid and the computer text example If you have a large peerage scroll to do what do you use for a grid that’s larger than printer paper? What about if you have two scrolls to do? You could make your own oversized grid. You could use 11×17″ Bristol board and make your own. That’s what I did….
This is unique and special. Amy Dreyer, known as Lady Beatrix in Calontir, posted a picture of HL Zaneta Baseggio‘s Calon Cross scroll after she framed it. I never get to see a scroll’s end result. This is fabulous. HL Zaneta Baseggio’s Callon Cross Scroll Framed When I create a scroll, if possible, I want…
Project Title: Calon Cross Scroll for Zaneta Baseggio Project Date: October 14, 2017/Crown Tournament Text by: HL Saito Takauji Inspiration for Text: ‘The Prince’ by Machiavelli, James 3:13, and the structures of the Venetian government. La Serenissima Regina means ‘most serene Queen’. The mazor consegio was a self-nominating legislative body, and that works as an…
Inspired by14th century French manuscripts. I’m on a quest. I constantly search to see the details in illuminated manuscripts to incorporate in my illumination. This started when I first found medieval manuscripts. It’s what enthralled me then and still does. The search is how I learned to make scrolls appear like illuminated medieval manuscripts. Along the…
Bi-lingual Hebrew-English Scroll After calligraphy heraldry is probably the most common motif I include in a scroll. Whether it’s a recipient’s arms, the order’s device or the Calontir banner I use them somewhere. Even if the recipient’s persona came from a culture that didn’t have heraldry. When I receive a scroll assignment I first collect as much information…
Dollars to donuts the scribe is the least appreciated SCA artisan. That doesn’t mean the person receiving the award doesn’t appreciate receiving it and its kudos. But many recipients do not understand or appreciate the work done by the scribe. Award Scroll Presentation Sometimes when a scroll leaves the scribe’s hands and is given in court it’s…
Scroll creation is like cooking. You begin the creative process knowing for whom you want to cook and when you want to serve it. You collect the essential ingredients you want to use, calligraphy, paint, and support. Using medieval sources, you add a pinch of intuition, a dash of inspiration, stir them together hoping for…
As I grew as a scribe there was a time my illumination skills outpaced my calligraphy skills. In fact, they still do. Back then I wouldn’t do the calligraphy on a scroll. Fortunately for me my friend HL Astrid, a talented calligrapher, preferred lettering. So we worked together. To begin we understood the work would…
M. Rolf in stealth mode. I’m a skilled stalking scribe, researching the recipient’s SCA persona and related interests. It scares me how adroit I’ve become. Facebook made this easy. I can snag scroll motifs from the recipient’s photos. Pictures of pets, garb, crafts, family. I no longer have to sneakily talk with their seneschal or…
I’ve been posting information relating to the making of a scroll I can now show. How to Google For Illuminated Manuscript Inspirations, My Battle With Calligraphy, and 5 Tips To Train Your Artist Eye all sprang from my efforts to create this scroll. The scroll is an Iren-Hirth for the Duke Sir Anton Rhaghelan. That…
I’ve been writing my scroll layout handout for the coming Lonely Tower Scribes’ class. While it’s too detailed for here I thought a few design tips might be appreciated. Picking your inspiration I first choose a medieval style relating to the recipient’s persona or interest. If that’s not possible because time is short and I…